CINCINNATI – Pittsburgh was missing its top two running backs. Two offensive linemen were gone, too. Safety Troy Polamalu was sitting on the bench along with all those other injured Steelers.
The Bengals knew this was their best chance to finally beat their Ohio River rival, the one that has stood between them and division titles so many times.
Still couldn't do it.
Ben Roethlisberger threw for a touchdown, and Pittsburgh's defense clamped down on the Bengals' Dalton-to-Green connection for a 24-17 victory Sunday night that sent Cincinnati to its third straight loss.
The Bengals (3-4) wasted yet another chance to show they can be ranked up there with the division's two most successful teams. They fell to 0-6 against the Steelers and Baltimore Ravens over the last two seasons, a sign they are still an also-ran in their division.
They have lost three straight, falling into third place in the division.
"It's going to be tough to sleep," cornerback Leon Hall said. "At the end of the day, we've lost three in a row and we're in a tough spot."
This was their best chance yet to break through, especially after the injury-depleted Steelers dropped passes, fumbled and threw an end zone interception in a self-destructive first half. They couldn't take full advantage against the team that always seems to win on their home field.
The Steelers improved to 12-2 at Paul Brown Stadium, where thousands of towel-waving fans make them feel at home. They have won their last five overall against the Bengals and 10 of the last 12.
And once again, the Bengals could blame themselves.
"Our failure to finish off the game — we scored three points in the second half and didn't get off the field enough on third down — was the difference in the game," coach Marvin Lewis said.
The Bengals got the better of it at the outset, pulling ahead 14-3 by getting their running game moving behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and turning a fumble by Roethlisberger into a touchdown. If they were going to end that streak of futility against the Steelers, this was their chance.
Andy Dalton's only glaring mistake made the difference.
He saw a defender waiting to make an interception and tried to stop his throwing motion. The ball slipped out of his hand, hit the helmet of Bengals lineman Kevin Zeitler and deflected to linebacker LaMarr Woodley at the Cincinnati 29-yard line with 1:23 left in the half. That set up Roethlisberger's tying TD pass and conversion.
The Bengals had allowed the Steelers to pull themselves out of the early hole.
"You can't have a thing like that happen," Dalton said. "We had a chance to go down and score points or at least keep it where it was. What you can't let happen is not just let the ball slip out of your hands, but let them get an interception and get points."
Dalton was 14 of 28 for only 105 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He threw six passes toward Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green but completed only one, an 8-yard touchdown after Roethlisberger's fumble.
For the Steelers (3-3), it was a significant win under tough conditions. Their first road victory of the season moved them into second place behind Baltimore (5-2), which lost to Houston 43-13 earlier Sunday.
A lot of players got them there on a tough night.
Third-year running back Jonathan Dwyer made his first career start and ran for a career-high 122 yards, including a 32-yard gain in the final minute that put it away. Shaun Suisham kicked field goals of 42, 47 and 42 yards. And the defense came up with a game-turning interception.
"I'm proud of the way those young guys stepped up," said Roethlisberger, who was 27 of 37 for 278 yards. "There never was a doubt they would do that."
The Steelers' 31st-ranked running game was missing Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman, as well as center Maurkice Pouncey and right tackle Marcus Gilbert. Rookie Mike Adams made his first start in Gilbert's spot.
Plus, Polamalu was inactive for the fourth time in the last five games with a calf injury.
Notes: Steelers rookie NT Alameda Ta'amu served the first of his two-game suspension for his arrest last weekend. ... Bengals rookie CB Dre Kirkpatrick was inactive for the seventh game. He hurt his left knee over the summer and hasn't played. He's expected to be ready after the Bengals' upcoming bye week. ... Bengals C Jeff Faine injured a hamstring, forcing rookie Trevor Robinson to take over in the second half. ... The Steelers wasted a chance to score off a trick play in the first half. Roethlisberger threw a lateral to Antonio Brown, who threw a pass to uncovered running back Baron Batch. The ball went through his arms. Roethlisberger then threw an end zone interception.
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